Swingable shelf assembly for cabinets

ABSTRACT

An accessory including parallel linkages for swingably mounting an intermediate shelf of a kitchen cabinet, or the like, to permit lowering thereof in height for easier access thereto. Either a return spring or a compression washer which is progressively compressed by lowering movements is used to resist lowering movement. The arms of the linkage are offset. The linkages are applicable also to an entire cabinet.

United States Patent I [191 Schneller Dec. 31, 1974 1 1 SWINGABLE SHELF ASSEMBLY FOR CABINETS [76] Inventor: Frank Schneller, 3 Allegheny Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237 [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 319,331

456,591 7/1891 Osborn 312/308 X 806,277 12/1905 McKee 312/266 X 910,105 1/1909 Woodcock.... 312/266 X 1,108,893 9/1914 Ellinwood..... 312/271 1,145,264 7/1915 Pflug 312/266 1,430,960 10/1922 Elwert 312/266 1,922,585 8/1933 Hoffstetter et a1 312/266 1,985,593 12/1934 Allen 312/325 2,283,441 5/1942 Hunter 312/348 X 2,420,015 5/ 1947 Salsman et a1 312/325 2,537,669 1/1951 Honig 312/269 2,559,322 7/1951 Skamser 312/348 X 2,635,030 4/1953 Stebbins et a1. 312/266 2,635,678 4/1953 Basil 312/266 3,038,773 6/1962 Vasbinder 312/266 Xv 3,224,827 12/ 1965 Foster et a1 312/266 3,231,096 l/1966 Dulsici 312/266 X 3,406,999 10/1968 Kozicki 312/266 X Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gelham Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam J. Ruano [5 7 ABSTRACT An accessory including parallel linkages for swingably mounting an intermediate shelf of a kitchen cabinet, or the like, to permit lowering thereof in height for easier access thereto. Either a return spring or a compression washer which is progressively compressed by lowering movements is used to resist lowering movement. The arms of the linkage are offset. The linkages are applicable also to an entire cabinet.

4 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures 1 ilk/11111 ..L EE 521 5.

PATENTEDDEWHQM 3,857. 623

sum 2 m= 5 SWINGABLE SHELF ASSEMBLY FOR CABINETS This invention relates generally to a kitchen-cabinet construction, and, more particularly, to an accessory for swingably mounting the shelves of such or any other type cabinet, or the entire cabinet, to permit lowering thereof in height for easier access thereto.

This invention applies similarly to any shelving, or cabinetry, whatsoever, used for shelf storage or shelf display whatsoever-in domestic dwellings, in commerce or in industry where access to shelf contents can be made easier if the shelf could readily be lowered to within convenient reach.

The illustrated embodiment relates to kitchen cabinets in particular wherein the shelves of kitchen wall cabinets commonly are mounted more or less stationarily at an elevation making their access difficult, without use of a step-stool or the like. Shorter housewives are greatly handicapped by conventional kitchen wall cabinet storage.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel mounting for the shelves of kitchen and other wall cabinets, or for the entire cabinet itself, which will overcome the abovenamed disadvantages, and make any high shelfs contents readily accessible to persons short in height.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel pivotal mounting construction for the shelves of'a kitchen cabinet, orfor any other type of shelving assembly, that will permit swinging thereof to a lower and therefore more accessible level, so as to be within easy reach. 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pivotal mounting for kitchen, or other cabinets that will allow the entire cabinet to be pivoted, or pivotally swung to a lower elevation, so that its entire contents will become more readily accessible.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front, elevational view of a kitchen cabinet, with the door removed, showing pivotal shelf mountings embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof in vertical, cross-section, wherein dotted lines show the shelves when pivotally moved to a lower and more accessible position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, top, fragmentary view of fixtures of the present invention, for converting existing stationary shelves in a kitchen cabinet to those which may be pivotally moved, as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing how the lower part of rod 9 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may be provided with a return spring to bias it in the normal, substantially, vertical position-with a slight tip toward the rear of the cabinet, however, beyond the center of gravity, to sustain the shelf in normal position until force is applied to move it forward, then downward;

FIG. 5 is a top, perspective view of a modification of the invention, wherein an entire cabinet is pivotally mounted, so as to be swung forwardly to a lower elevation;

FIG. 6 is a side view of FIGS illustrating, in dotted outline, the lowered position of the cabinet;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, elevational view showing the rear portion of the pivotal mounting illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 embodying offset rods;

FIG. 9 shows a further modification of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3 3mbodying offset flat strips;

FIG. 10 shows a modification of the return spring illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 shows the modification of FIG. 10 when the shelf is in lowered position;

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the manner in which strap 7 of FIG. 3 is attached to the shelf;

FIG. 13 is a side view ofa combination of refrigerator and swingable cabinet permanently mounted thereon;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XVXV of FIG. 14 of a further modification;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of pivotal assembly 36 shown in FIGS. 14-15; and,

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational view of the stop 47 shown in FIGS. 14-15.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, numeral 1 generally denotes an ordinary kitchen cabinet with the front door removed to more clearly illustratee the interior construction. Numeral 2 denotes a bottom or bottom shelf and numerals 3 and 4 denote upper shelves which have been reduced in width at 5 to clear the front side panels and project outwardly of the front door opening. The rear edge 6 of shelf 4 is adapted to rest against the rear panel of the cabinet.

An important feature of the invention resides in the pivotal mounting for the shelf, illustrated more clearly in FIG. 3, which may be made and sold as an accessory for converting an ordinary kitchen cabinet, having stationarily mounted shelves, to one with pivotally movable shelves to enable lowering their height, as illustrated in FIG. 2 (see dotted outlines 3 and 4).

The pivotal mounting comprises strips 8, preferably of metal, which may be attached to the sidewalls of the cabinet by extending fastening means such as screws, through holes 12. Support rods 9, of circular crosssection, are pivotally mounted at their lower ends to inwardly projecting flange portions 13 of elements 8, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4.

The top ends of rods 9 are bent and pivotally mounted in rolled end portions 11 of strip 7 and are provided with openings 10 through which screws may be inserted for fastening underneath shelf 4. It should be understood that if desired, rods 9 may be of flat shape and strip 8 may be mounted onto the top surface of the lower shelf, (see FIG. 9) particularly the lowermost shelf 3.

In order to assist the return movement of shelves 3 and 4, a return spring 23 is provided on each side, one end of which is secured to the rear wall of the cabinet, the other end being secured to the chain which, in turn, is secured to the underside of the shelf.

In operation, shelves 3 and 4, are normally in the po sition shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. When it is desired to lower the shelves to make them more readily accessible to the housewife, the cabinet door is opened and the selected shelf or shelves are lowered by a parallelogram linkage movement at both sides including two pivoted ends of both rods 9, so as to move shelves 3 and 4 about an arc to the position shown in dotted outline in FIG. 2, whereby they are limited from further lowering movement. In the meanwhile,'chain 22 and spring 23 are elongated into a straight line relationship, and

spring 23 is tensioned so that upon a slight lifting movement of shelf 3 or 4, spring 23 will aid it in' returning it to the full line position shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate return spring arrangement eliminating the necessity for chain 22 and spring 23. Instead, a coil spring 14 is wrapped around and attached at one end to the bent pivoted end of rod 9 and its other end is bent and rests against the top edge of projection 13 so that the spring 14 will tend to wind as the shelves are lowered, and unwind upon lifting movement of the shelves to assist in such lifting movement.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show a modification wherein the entire cabinet 1 is pivotally mounted for lowering movement to the position shown in dotted outline in FIG. 6. Vertical pivotal strips 16 are provided whose top ends are pivoted at 17 to the sidewalls of the cabinet and whose bottom ends 18 are pivotally mounted, at each side, on -a support bar 19 to allow the cabinet to be mounted and swing by a parallelogram linkage until the two bars 16 engage each other, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, for limiting further lowering movement. The rear portion of the support bar 19 is shown in FIG. 7 and is fastened to the wall against which the rear panel of the cabinet abuts.

FIG. 8 shows a modification similar to that illustrated in FIG. 3 except that rods 9 are provided with offset portions 9a to help clear the side panels la when the shelf is pivoted outwardly of the door opening.

FIG. 9 shows a modificationof the attachments illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein flat strips 9b are provided instead of rods of circular cross-section, which strips have offset portions 9c to assist in clearing the side panels la of FIG. 1. The lower ends of strips 9b are pivotally mounted on bearing portions of support strips 8a attached to shelf 3. Roller mountings 9d are preferably used to provide anti-friction contact with the sidewalls of the cabinet to overcome the frictional resistance otherwise obtained from rubbing of the strips 9b against the sidewalls. The top ends of strips 9b are pivotally mounted in recessed or bearing portions of the strips 7a which are attached to the underside of shelf 4.

FIGS. and 11 shows a modification of a return spring 14 of FIG. 4.A shelf end, box-like enclosure 24 is provided for pivotally supporting the lower end of rods 9. One of said rods 9 includes an integral arm extension 25 attached to one end of a return spring 26. The other end of spring 26 is attached to an adjustable setting thumb screw 27 which slides along slot 28 to selective positions to permit a selective increase or decrease in the tension of spring 26 to conform to different requirements of various shelf loading.

FIG. 12 shows a modification of the top pivotal connection in FIG. 3, comprising a strip 7b which is recessed into the side edge of shelf4 so that its outer surface is flush herewith and which is provided with a depending portion to which is pivoted, at lla, a strip (or rod) 9b. I

FIG. 13 shows a modification embodying the combined cabinet 1a and refrigerator 30 having strips 31 (or rods) pivotally mounted at 32 to the cabinet and at 33 to the refrigerator on each side of the cabinet and refrigerator to provide a parallelogram linkage. By grasping and pulling the lower handle 34 under the cabinet, it is possible to pivotally move the cabinet la to the position shown by dash lines la, which is considerably lower than the normal position shown in full lines to greatly facilitate access thereto by the housewife. Of

course, instead of a refrigerator 32, any other kitchen accessory, such as a stove, oven, table, etc. may be used instead for swingably supporting cabinet la.

FlGS. 14 to 17 inclusive show a still further modification of the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and wherein identical parts are referred to by the same reference numerals. Variations include supporting strips 35 rigidly fastened to the intcrior walls of cabinet I for pivotally supporting. by piv otal assembly 36, the lower ends of strips 9b,9c. The upper ends of such strips are pivotally connected to strips 50 by pivots 38, which strips have right angular flanges attached to the under side of shelf 4. For maximum shelf capacity, the shelf 4 may extend flush with the outer front wall surface of cabinet 1, as shown in FIG. 14, and the side pieces removed to provide the clearance shown in FIG. 15 may be attached to the rear edge of shelf 4 so as to increase the width thereof. The door (not shown) is pivotally mounted beyond said outer front wall surface.

An important feature of the invention resides in the pivotal assembly generally denoted by numeral 36 in FIG. 16. Adjacent each end of strip 35 is a threaded hole 40 which are coaxial with slightly cupped compression washers 41, 42 which are clamped together by screwing threaded shank 43 of a bolt into hole 40'by turning its head 44 of hexagonal (or other polygonal) shape. Such turning may be accomplished, at least partly, by a correspondingly shaped opening 45 in strip 9b which may be used as a wrench when its other end is detached. The amount of frictional compression for resisting pivotal movement will depend on how tightly washers 41, 42 are clamped together, therefore may be preselected by the extent of tightening of the bolt 43, 44. After the desired compression is obtained, the shank of screw 46 is screw threaded into the threaded hole in head 44.

In operation, as shelf4 moves from the full line to the dash-dot line position shown in FIG. 14, the turning of strip 9c will progressively clamp washers 41, 42 tighter and tighter until it reaches the limit of movement determined by stop 48. As the shel is lifted to normal position, the compression is progressively decreased. Left and right handed screws must be used on the respective pivotal assemblies 36 on the two sides of the cabinet. In some cases only one pivotal assembly is needed.

Another feature is the adjustable stop, generally denoted by numeral 47, comprising a disc shaped element 48 eccentrically mounted on strip 9b by a screw 49, which stop limits the lowering movement of the parallelogram linkage as illustrated in dash-dot outline in FIG. 14. The limit of movement may be selectively adjusted simply by loosening screw 49 and turning element 48 to the-desired position and retightening screw 49.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an efficient mounting accessory for converting stationarily mounted shelves of kitchen cabinets to pivotally mounted ones to enable a parallelogram linkage sup port for the shelves for lowering them to the height substantially corresponding to that of the next lower shelf; furthermore, I have provided a mounting accessory of relatively simple and inexpensive construction and yet which is very sturdy for mounting a heavily loaded shelf and for facilitating lowering and lifting movements to make the shelf more readily accessible to the housewife; furthermore, I have provided a mounting assembly for the entire cabinet for application where such cabinet is too high for easy reach, such as above a stove or refrigerator.

While I have illustrated and described several embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that these are by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications may be contemplated within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. in a cabinet or similar structure of the type having sidewalls, spaced front panels attached to said side walls, and an intermediate shelf; the combination of a pair of detachable fixtures for pivotally mounting said shelf and allowing maximum shelf storage space, each of said fixtures comprising a horizontally extending first strip detachably fastened to one of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel linkages having one end pivotally mounted on said strip, a second strip detachably fastened to the bottom surface of one side edge portion of said intermediate shelf and provided with a pair of pivotal bear ing portions for pivotally mounting the top end of said linkages, both pairs of linkages being inwardly bent so that said second strip-is laterally offset away from said first strip so as to clear said front panels when said shelf is pivotally moved by said linkages outwardly of said cabinet, spring washer means connected to one of said linkages for restraining further movement of said shelf after it has moved to a position in substantially the same horizontal plane as said first strips, and means for progressively increasing the amount of clamping pres sure on said spring washer means substantially in proportion to the extent of pivotal movement of said linkages in a direction outwardly of the cabinet or similar structure so that maximum resistance to pivotal movement is provided by said spring washer means as said shelf approaches the horizontal plane of said first mentioned strips.

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said spring washer means comprises a pair of cup-shaped spring washers, a tightening screw for adjustably clamping said washers, and a coupling connection between the head of said screw and a corresponding opening in one of said linkages.

3. In a cabinet or similar structure of the type having sidewalls, spaced front panels attached to said sidewalls, and an intermetdiate shelf; the combination of a pair of detachable fixtures for pivotally mounting said shelf and allowing maximum shelf storage space, each of said fixtures comprising a horizontally extending first strip detachably fastened to one of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel linkages having one end pivotally mounted on said strip, a second strip detachably fastened to the bottom surface of one side edge portion of said intermediate shelf and provided with a pair of pivotal bearing portions for pivotally mounting the top end of said linkages, both pairs of linkages being inwardly bent so that said second strip is laterally offset away from said first strip so as to clear said front panels when said shelf is pivotally moved by said linkages outwardly of said cabinet, spring means connected to one of said pairs of linkages for restraining movement of said shelf as it moves to a position in substantially the same horizontal plane as said first strips, means for adjusting the amount of tension and restraint of said spring means, and stop means mounted on one of said linkages and engaging the other linkage of a corresponding fixture to limit outward pivotal movement of said shelf.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stop means is a cam which is rotatably adjustable to adjust the limit of movement of said shelf.

* l i l 

1. In a cabinet or similar structure of the type having sidewalls, spaced front panels attached to said sidewalls, and an intermediate shelf; the combination of a pair of detachable fixtures for pivotally mounting sAid shelf and allowing maximum shelf storage space, each of said fixtures comprising a horizontally extending first strip detachably fastened to one of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel linkages having one end pivotally mounted on said strip, a second strip detachably fastened to the bottom surface of one side edge portion of said intermediate shelf and provided with a pair of pivotal bearing portions for pivotally mounting the top end of said linkages, both pairs of linkages being inwardly bent so that said second strip is laterally offset away from said first strip so as to clear said front panels when said shelf is pivotally moved by said linkages outwardly of said cabinet, spring washer means connected to one of said linkages for restraining further movement of said shelf after it has moved to a position in substantially the same horizontal plane as said first strips, and means for progressively increasing the amount of clamping pressure on said spring washer means substantially in proportion to the extent of pivotal movement of said linkages in a direction outwardly of the cabinet or similar structure so that maximum resistance to pivotal movement is provided by said spring washer means as said shelf approaches the horizontal plane of said first mentioned strips.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said spring washer means comprises a pair of cup-shaped spring washers, a tightening screw for adjustably clamping said washers, and a coupling connection between the head of said screw and a corresponding opening in one of said linkages.
 3. In a cabinet or similar structure of the type having sidewalls, spaced front panels attached to said sidewalls, and an intermetdiate shelf; the combination of a pair of detachable fixtures for pivotally mounting said shelf and allowing maximum shelf storage space, each of said fixtures comprising a horizontally extending first strip detachably fastened to one of said sidewalls, a pair of parallel linkages having one end pivotally mounted on said strip, a second strip detachably fastened to the bottom surface of one side edge portion of said intermediate shelf and provided with a pair of pivotal bearing portions for pivotally mounting the top end of said linkages, both pairs of linkages being inwardly bent so that said second strip is laterally offset away from said first strip so as to clear said front panels when said shelf is pivotally moved by said linkages outwardly of said cabinet, spring means connected to one of said pairs of linkages for restraining movement of said shelf as it moves to a position in substantially the same horizontal plane as said first strips, means for adjusting the amount of tension and restraint of said spring means, and stop means mounted on one of said linkages and engaging the other linkage of a corresponding fixture to limit outward pivotal movement of said shelf.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein said stop means is a cam which is rotatably adjustable to adjust the limit of movement of said shelf. 